TOO MUCH TRAFFIC

I am writing in regard to the article in the Journal Pioneer on Jan. 9 concerning the East-West Connector project that has been on and off for the past 20 years. Downtown businesses are hurting with a lack of shoppers now, and this project will only divert more traffic coming from east and west away from the downtown.

The connector will meet up with MacEwen Road and Ryan Street causing more traffic on Pope Road.

We, the residents living on Pope Road, certainly don’t need more traffic in this area. My wife and I live right by the corner of Pope Road and Greenwood Drive.

The other day, I was sitting in my living room reading the morning paper and having coffee when, just out of curiosity, I began counting the vehicles going through the intersection. The first 10 minutes, I counted 82 vehicles going through the intersection. The next 10 – 75, followed by another 78.

Now you do the math. That is 400 to 500 vehicles per hour on average all day. If for some reason that is questioned, it could easily be monitored. There had been a study recently conducted on this intersection (another study paid for by the taxpayer). The firm doing the study concluded the traffic did not warrant a roundabout. If 500 vehicles an hour does not justify a roundabout, what would? I realize a roundabout would not lessen traffic flow, but it will slow it down as there is not much policing at this intersection.

I really shouldn’t be so concerned about this problem anyway as my wife and I are looking for a bit quieter, less traffic area to live in.

We are checking on a couple of properties for sale right now. They are just off Highway 401 in Ontario.

Darrell Trainor, Summerside